“So that’s it? After all we’ve been through, it’s over?”

“Don’t you think it’s time, Bette? Haven’t we tried so many times to make this work? Aren’t you tired of trying when nothing seems to work?”

For the first time in years, it felt like Tina and I had finally drifted apart. We played this crazy “break up to make up game” over and over and lost every round. I sighed heavily in defeat.

“It doesn’t mean I don’t love you.” Tina said. She was trying to soften the blow, but the truth is, I never saw this coming. I knew we had problems. We’ve always had problems. Never have they seemed so insurmountable.

I hung my head in sorrow. She reached out and stroked my hair to comfort me. I began to sob quietly. All the anxiety and heartache was overwhelming.

She pulled me closer and held me.

“It’ll be ok. Just give it a little time.” She whispered reassuringly.

And that’s exactly what I did. After that night, I didn’t have any contact with Tina. I wanted to completely erase her existence from my memory. For 5 years, I was successful until I got a visit from the past.

*doorbell rings*

“COMING!” I shout to the unexpected guest. “Who is this?!” I mumble to myself.

I open the door and see Tina in her radiant beauty. I stare for what seems like hours before she says “Can I come in, Bette?”

“Uh…yeah. Sure. Sorry about that. I just never thought I’d see you on my doorstep again.”

“I figured you would be surprised. You look more beautiful than I remembered.”

“Thank you.” I smile warmly.  “So what brings you by?”

“I need a reason? Can’t friends just visit one another?” She said teasingly.

“Sure they can, but in your case, there HAS to be a reason. Something serious to make you stop by after 5 years.”

“Doesn’t feel like its been that long does it? Seems like just yesterday we broke up. Time has its way of flying.”

“I agree, but that’s not an answer. What’s going on?”

“Can we sit down and talk?”

I sit, and she does the same. I wait for her to begin speaking. She seems shaken and nervous. I want to reach out and touch her for support, but I realize that may be inappropriate so I just wait patiently for her words.